CN1297288A - Personal communicator - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides a single unit called a personal communicator that combines the functions of a cell phone (or mobile phone), a body supported computer and a pager. The personal communicator has three detachable modules a communications module; a display module; and a core computer module. The core computer module has all of the components of a general purpose computer. Each of the modules when detached can be used in other systems such as with larger display screens.

Description

personal communicator

The present invention relates to a portable communication device, in particular to a novel communicator including functions of a telephone, a pager and a computer. This application is a continuation of earlier applications SN 08/911,642, filed August 15, 1997 and SN 09/294,668, filed April 19, 1999.

It is known to use handheld cellular or other types of telephones or wireless communicators or radio communications. It is also known to use a portable pager with means for multiple pager messages and a pager display. Typical cellular telephones and pagers are described in US Pat. Nos. 5,884,188, 5,33,088 and 5,940,742. Wearable hands-free computers are also known, the most popular being the mobile assistant from Xybemaut. Such hands-free computers are described in US Patents 5,305,244 (Newman I) and 5,844,824 (Newman II) owned by Xybemaut Corporation. As telephones, pagers, and computers have become so widely used, it has become inconvenient to have to carry each of them on the body. Plus, wearable computers are going to be the next generation of computers, not at random, but soon, every business person will be carrying one with them all day.

In U.S. Patent US 5,844,824 (Newman II), the use of a cellular or radio or wireline telephone communication device for use with a mobile computer is clearly disclosed, and claim 6 of Newman II clearly defines this concept. The detailed description of this combination disclosed by Newman II is incorporated by reference into this specification. Xybemaut Corporation also has several pending patent applications SN08/911,642, SN09/009,206, and 09/294,668, which disclose, respectively, a transportable core computer system, a core computer unit, and a modular wearable computer; each of these applications discloses concepts related to the present invention. In SN 08/911,642 and SN 09/009,206 a mobile core unit is disclosed which has all the components of a general purpose computer (except the display). This core unit cannot be used as a computer by itself unless it is electrically connected to a housing which also provides the functionality. The housing has several connector ports for connecting peripherals to the system. SN 09/294,668 discloses the concept of computer-contained modules, each of which fits together to form a conventional computer, except that the computer is worn on the body and features heat control.

Although each of the aforementioned patents discloses mobile phones, two-way radios, pagers, and computers, the disadvantage is that none of these patents suggests a simple, portable, modular mobile structure capable of providing telephone functionality, computer functionality, electronic Mail, personal organizer, fax and pager functions.

The problem with the prior art is that there is no single device that can perform or process multiple inputs from different sources (e.g. pagers, communication devices, personal email devices, computers, personal organizers) and for this reason the user must carry multiple inputs. devices. The small computers in prior art phones did not have the capacity and memory to be used as a general purpose computer when worn or if removed and used with other more demanding housings. Computers can store large amounts of information without going through a central telephone location. Also, if the sender has the ability to send information in only one form (eg, pager/electronic fax, telephone, etc.) and the recipient does not have the ability to receive paper fax, pager, or if the current recipient cannot receive fax because he only has a cell phone, or if his laptop is in the back of his car and he is driving on the highway, the recipient must wait until it is safe to use his or her laptop and cell phone to download the fax from an external area, or in the case of highly sensitive information, the sender will have to wait before sending the fax until the recipient can guarantee safe output of the fax.

Currently, when a third party needs to notify or send information to another person, the sending depends on the type of information that needs to be transmitted and the recipient's ability to receive the information. The recipient's ability to receive this information is limited by the device he or she is carrying, ie a pager or telephone or the like. That is, the ability to send information to a given person today is limited not only by what capabilities are available or possessed by the recipient, but also by what capabilities are available or possessed by the sender. For example, if a person needs to show an important fax to the recipient, the recipient will likely need a device that can receive and display this information. This is possible when the recipient has this capability (usually a cell phone connected to a computer) or when the fax machine is located nearby (in a hotel room, office or other physical location). But what happens when information needs to be sent and all users have is a pager or a cell phone? Important faxes are either read on a cell phone by the intended recipient, or are faxed to a remote location so that the recipient can view them, or the fax is sent to an external location (typically email or stored on the Internet for later download ).

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mobile structure which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure which can be used as a computer, radiotelephone or pager.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular structure which can be disassembled into a computer, pager and radiotelephone as required.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a personal communicator unit that includes a core module that can be removed and connected to a larger display or monitor.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a personal communication device that integrates the technologies of a wearable computer, a cellular phone, and a pager, interconnecting each component in a modular structure.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a personal communication device having a core computer module with means for connecting to a high definition FPD for shared viewing.

Generally, these and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a personal communicator comprising at least three modules in modular form allowing removal of the communication (telephone) module, a removable core computer module and a removable pager module. While it is preferred that the three modules be removable, it is not essential that the modules may be of a unitary structure without being removable from each other. The term "personal communicator" throughout this specification refers to a unit having all three modules, namely 1. communication module; 2. display module; 3. core computer module. In some embodiments, the pager and core computer modules may be included in one or the same module. The battery is located in any suitable module. The core computer module is the same as described in pending applications SN08/911,162 and SN09/294,668. Any suitable portable telephone, including cellular telephones known in the art and described in US 5,884,188 and US 5,870,678 may be used as the "communication device". Any known or suitable pager module may also be used, such as the pagers disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,933,088 and 5,940,742. Any suitable known electronic mail device may be incorporated into the structure of the present invention. The personal communicator of the present invention provides a small but effective display and antenna, all of which will be defined below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, three modules "Personal Communicator" namely the communication module, the display module and the core computer module are preferred, other devices such as cameras and/or video cameras and/or televisions and/or radios can be incorporated into the display module ( or other modules). If this embodiment is used, the display in the display module can be used as a video display or television screen. Any known type of radio, television or video camera may be used in the present invention, such as devices already available on the market. The central component of the communication system of the present invention is a computer, therefore, it can be applied to any communication system ie pager, telephone, e-mail, fax, etc. The ability to send a message (regardless of form) is simple when the user is sitting at a desk. A desktop PC can receive faxes, send and receive e-mails, download and browse/use/manipulate data files, make phone calls (Voice over IP), surf the web and perform other common computer functions. When leaving the office, to best simulate his or her desktop environment, the functionality of a cell phone, pager, personal organizer, and laptop must be taken with them, even though some of the capabilities of these devices overlap, providing the user with convenient. They overlap mainly because, in some circumstances, a user cannot use a certain device because of some functions he or she performs. The present invention provides a convenient mobile personal communicator capable of sending or receiving information through all of the described functions, while based on prior art designs whenever they integrate communication capabilities generally have sufficient hardware resources to communicate with a single service provider Communications, because of the design of the core modules with sufficient flexibility and resources, the present invention allows them to be used by many and different service providers by call-by-call on one call or by packet-by-packet on a packet in some multi-channel implementations . This allows a user to purchase a personal communicator for use with one or more service providers, and change between them at will without being fixed to one provider.

When removed, the computer core module has hands-free activation, such as audio activation, eye tracking activation, brain current activation, head and arm activation, and combinations thereof. All of these hands-free activation devices are disclosed and described in the aforementioned US Patent No. 5,844,824, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The computer core may be physically supported or connected to another housing as disclosed in SN 08/911,162. The crux of the invention is that the computer module consists of a general purpose computer and is removable or non-removable and has the means to be used with other housings or systems other than the personal communicator of the present invention. The present invention provides a communicator that can use any of the currently popular communication systems, namely cellular telephones, pagers, electronic mail, computers, personal organizers and faxes. Thus, only the transmitter of a pager can reach his or her party, just as the transmitter of only a fax machine or telephone can reach the same party. The invention described herein not only avoids the need to carry multiple devices, but also allows for a total range of transmitting or receiving communication devices.

The structure consists of a small self-contained portable computing module that is fully user-supported for hands-free retrieval and display of information for the user. The computing device includes a housing, which may or may not have protective means for removably protecting the housing for a user to be supported by the user. The housing also includes memory means for storing previously entered information, and processor means in communication with the memory means for receiving, retrieving and processing information and user commands according to a stored program including electronic mail capabilities. Because the large databases of ETM and IETM will be accessed by mobile self-contained computing devices, a means is needed that facilitates interfacing with the storage device containing the database. The housing of the computing device includes a portal through which various storage devices containing data can be connected and communicated. Data access and transfer between storage devices and computing devices can be fully realized under the control of the various hands-free activation devices described in this application. The access port allows direct electrical connection of the storage device; however, other wired and wireless connections are also used. When the computing module is removed and used independently, the activation devices that can be used include the above-mentioned eye tracking, brain activity devices, head and arm tracking devices and combinations thereof. In addition to all conventional computer components, the computing device includes display means in communication with the processor means, for receiving information from the processor means and for displaying the received information to the user, the display means being supported by the user, whereby the user can The computing device is operated to display information in a hands-free manner using only brain activity or eye tracking with or without audio commands.

As mentioned above, a detailed description of eye tracking and brain activity control (brain waves) and head and arm tracking devices is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,844,824, which is incorporated by reference into this specification.

Another feature of the present invention utilizes an adapter used in each mobile computer module to allow use in cellular or wireline telephone communications. A radio frequency, infrared, laser or fiber optic transceiver or other communication device may be used in place of the cellular telephone communication device. These are collectively referred to as "communication means" in this specification.

The computer device of the present invention can interface with a telephone system in this manner to provide hands-free telephone communication between multiple users and/or computers. One or more of these may engage in telephonic communications through the use of the present computer equipment. As previously stated, communications may include, but are not limited to, voice, data, controls including interrogations and built-in test codes, video images and sounds. Operations may be hands-free using the voice activation feature of the computer device, manually initiated using a keyboard, or a combination of both.

Telephone systems that may be interfaced include, but are not limited to: RJ-11 wall jacks commonly found in homes and small businesses, multi-line telephone switching systems found in medium and large businesses, cellular communications, radio frequency communications interfaces, and any of the above A cordless accessory.

The basic system incorporates the device of the present invention, a hands-free portable computer with voice activation and a head-mounted or other user-supported display, a telephone system and a unique electrical interface between the two components integrating traditional analog voice signals and computer data.

The integration of private or public telephone communications into the system can be accomplished using a voice/data modem (modulator/demodulator) as is now used with existing computing systems. The modem is either built into the host computer or can be plugged into the host computer as a "PCMCIA" or "PC Card". In addition, the communication device in the headset can also use a built-in modem to connect with a remote device through the communication device. Using the communication means of the system, data and voice can be sent and received between the headset and the mobile system and between the mobile systems.

In one embodiment of the present invention, two different I/O devices and two different form factor A product that uses the same basic computer functions and/or subcomponents as a computer. A conceivably smaller device or structure would be a personal communicator incorporating the functionality of a wearable or handheld computer as well as telephone and other communication capabilities. It is conceivable that at least one design would include a device or structure containing a small FPD or other type of display to be encased in a jacket or shirt, and a device or structure containing a large paper-sized ( 8.5"X11") or laptop-sized higher definition FPD or other type of display, and a common module containing computer functions as well as pager functions. Large, high-definition flat-panel display devices or structures solve the fundamental problem of small form factor computers having screens that are too small to be viewed by multiple people at the same time.

The design of the present invention integrates wearable computer functionality, cellular telephone, personal email device, personal organizer functionality, and pager functionality into a single wearable or handheld personal communicator. The personal communicator is designed in a modular fashion so that modules containing one or more functions can be separated. The module can then be used with larger FPDs or other types of displays. Particular attention is paid to the modules containing the core functionality of the wearable PC and the pager functionality. The module can be removed from a personal communicator and attached as an accessory to a larger flat panel display to form a laptop function, it can be packaged in a bifold package, and is designed to stand on a flat surface in an inverted V shape to share watch.

All drawings and drawing descriptions will refer to audio actuation devices using only the present invention; however, keypad and pen actuation can be used in pager assemblies, although in telephone or communication modules (cell phones, etc.) and overall "personal communicators" Only audio startup is available in . The keypad or touch screen can be used on the phone module independently or in combination with voice activation. A touch screen can also be used as a display device.

Figure 1 is a rear view of the personal communicator of the present invention with the interconnected communication and core computer modules shown.

Figure 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the personal communicator of the present invention having modular assemblies separated from each other;

Figure 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the personal communicator of the present invention having all three modules interconnected;

Figure 4 is a rear view of the personal communicator of Figure 3 when all modules are separated from each other;

Figure 5 is a rear view of an embodiment of the invention with all modules connected and installed;

Figure 6 is a rear view of one embodiment of the invention with all modules connected and showing the position of the installed display module;

Figure 7A is a top view showing a closed folio with a larger screen and a unit 1 docked in or on it. Figure 7B is a front view showing the folio in the open mode without unit 1 docked therein.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Drawings

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a hand-held personal communicator 1 of the present invention is shown comprising three removable modules, a communication module 2, a display module 3 and a core computer module 4. In FIG. In one embodiment of the invention, the core computer module 4 also includes a pager with a small display 9 . Personal communicator 1 integrates wearable computer functionality with cellular telephone and pager functionality, requiring only one small unit 1 to be worn instead of three inconvenient separate units. The computer module 4 is designed so that it can then be used in conjunction with a larger flat panel display or any other structure as a normal computer. A feature of the invention is that each module 2, 3 or 4 can then be used in other systems. Furthermore, an accessory may be used in or combined with at least one of the modules 2, 3 or 4, such as a device selected from the group consisting of radio, television, video camera, and camera or combinations thereof. The personal computer or core computer module 4 in the preferred embodiment has means 20 for attachment to the user, eg around his or her waist, torso or wrist. The connection means 20 may be at one or both of the front and rear of the unit 1 . The core computer can be removed from the personal communicator 1 and attached or connected to a larger flat panel display (FPD) for laptop functionality. The FPD can be a double body design with means to stand on a flat surface in an inverted V shape as shown in Figures 7A and 7B for shared viewing. Like a conventional cellular telephone (or other communication device), unit 1 in FIG. 1 has an antenna 5 . The same antenna (or an additional antenna 5) can be used when using a radio or television in the system. The radio, television or camera accessories are not specifically shown in this figure, since they would be shown built in and integrated therewith without changing the shape of the modules 2, 3 or 4. For example, the display module 3 could also be a TV screen and the touchpad or screen 7 could be a channel or radio station selector. The volume of both may be controlled by any suitable known means. Mounted in the communication module 2 is an earphone 6 and microphone 8 into which the user will speak when the unit 1 is used as a mobile or cellular phone. The touch screen 7 is placed between the communication module 2 and the core module 4; the touch screen 7 serves two purposes; it is used to press the phone number to be called, and it can be used as a personal communicator 1 and/or core computer module 4 display. In the full text of this specification, "core computer" module refers to a computer with the following parameters—at least 16-bit microprocessor, at least 32MB of RAM and at least 80MB of mass memory, and uses at least a full 640X480 VGA display. The crux of the invention is that the computer has these features to operate in all predetermined modes and be used as a general purpose computer.

Throughout this specification "display module" refers to a display with at least a full VGA resolution of 640X480.

In Fig. 3, an embodiment of a personal computer 1 is shown in which each module is connected. In this embodiment, a communication module 2 with a touch screen 7 is connected to the core module 4 and the display module 3 . The core computer module 4 in this embodiment includes a pager and pager screen 9 . If desired, the display module 3 shown in FIG. 3 may comprise any known television, radio, video camera or camera of conventional construction known in the art. The display module 3 also has means for receiving text (or other information) sent to the unit 1 via a facsimile machine.

In Fig. 4, the rear part of each module is represented with an electrical connector 10 for electrically and physically connecting each module to each other. In this embodiment, the computer and pager are in module 4 and can be connected to a larger FPD as shown in Figures 7A and 7B for greater clarity and shared viewing. Figure 4 shows the same embodiment shown in Figure 3, except that the modules 2, 3 and 4 are separated from each other. In all the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4, as in the conventional wearable computer of US 5,844,824 or the phone described above in the Background of the Invention, any suitable battery may be used. In Figures 5 and 6, the rear view represents the unit 1, when each module 2, 3 and 4 is connected. In this embodiment, the keypad 7 is outside the communication module 2 so that the keypad 7 can be used when the module is assembled. A telephone display 9 is also mounted on the rear so that it can also be used when assembled.

As previously stated, the core module 4 can be removed from the personal communicator 1, or the entire unit 1 can be used in any other housing (as disclosed in co-owned applications SN 08/911,642 and 09/009,206), or A halves similar to those shown in Figures 7A and 7B can be used with a larger FPD. In FIGS. 7A and 7B , an inverted V-shaped halves with battery stick 12 , hinged cover 13 and large display screen 14 is shown. The folded body 11 opened in Fig. 7B can stand stably on a plane, and has the computer module 4 (or unit 1) docked in the docking port 21 of Fig. 7A as shown in the figure, and can give the user a function, which consists of A laptop functions. A battery stick 12 fits into the hinge or housing 15 and provides the required power similar to that required by a laptop computer. The housing 15 includes a docking port or opening 16 into which the power supply 1 or core computer module 4 is inserted when used with the folio 11 . FIG. 7A shows docking unit 1 (or personal communicator 1 ) already in use and displayed by monitor or display screen 14 . Also provided in the folio 11 are a number of peripheral ports 17 for connection to audio jacks, headphones, head mounted displays or any other suitable peripherals.

While preferred and preferred embodiments of this invention have been described and illustrated in the drawings to illustrate the basic principles of the invention, it will be apparent that various modifications and effects can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Derivatives, such as described above, although the modules are preferably detachable or detachable, may all be connected into a fixed unit. Also, preferred parameters include at least 80MB; however, lower MBs may be used if desired.

Claims (22)

1. one kind allows at least one the dismountable or discerptible mobile personal communication device in three modules, described module comprises a communication module, a display module and a core computer module, described core computer module has the memory of 32MB at least, described communication module has a Headphone device to work with a microphone to be used as mobile phone, described personal communicator has from touching startup, the starting drive of selecting in the group that audio frequency starts and combination is formed, when separately, each is described separates that module has that device is connected to box lunch or work when being connected with other shell or annex, and described display module has the full VGA resolution of 640X480 at least.

2. the personal communicator of claim 1, wherein said core computer module have following one of at least:

Has at least 16 microprocessor of the memory of 32MB RAM at least; With

At least the memory of 80MB.

3. the core computer module of claim 1 has all component of all-purpose computer, and when separating, has the starting drive of from the group that audio frequency starting drive, eye tracking starting drive, electroencephalogram (EEG) starting drive, head and arm tracking means, touch starting drive and combination thereof are formed, selecting.

4. the personal communicator of claim 1 has of selecting therein from the group that television equipment, radio devices, camera apparatus, camera system and combination thereof are formed.

5. the personal communicator of claim 1, wherein said core computer module comprise from the group that beep-pager, beep-pager function, display screen, e-mail function and combination thereof are formed selects one.

6. the personal communicator of claim 1 has the device that is access in a monitor, and this monitor has than the much bigger and more high-resolution display of the display in the described display module.

7. the core computer module of claim 1 has the device that is access in a monitor, this monitor has than the much bigger and more high-resolution display of the display in the described display module, and described core computer module has as the device of personal organizers and electronic fax with as Email.

8. the personal communicator of claim 1 has the device that is used for fixing on the user's body.

9. the personal communicator of claim 1, each that is connected when assembling is described when separating module, have in antenna and the described communication module earphone with described communicate by letter or described core computer module in microphone, thereby when described communication module is connected and from when core computer and display module are removed, all has the device as a mobile phone.

10. personal communicator that comprises three modules that combine, it is dismountable to allow each module that described module has device, and have device and be connected to each other to keep each module, described module is a communication module, a display module and a core computer module, described core computer module has the speed of 66MHz at least and the memory of 32MB at least, described communication module have Headphone device with the microphone collaborative work inner or outside with being positioned at communication module described in the described personal communicator with as a mobile phone, described personal communicator has from touching startup, the starting drive of selecting in the group that audio frequency starts and combination is formed, when when dismounting, each described detachable module has device with work when being connected to or being connected with other shell or annex.

11. the personal communicator of claim 10, wherein said core computer module have following one of at least:

Has at least 16 microprocessor of the memory of 32MB RAM at least; With

At least the large scale memory of 80MB.

12. the core computer module of claim 10 has all component of all-purpose computer, and when separating, has the starting drive of from the group that audio frequency starting drive, eye tracking starting drive, electroencephalogram (EEG) starting drive, head and arm tracking means, touch starting drive and combination thereof are formed, selecting.

13. the personal communicator of claim 10, wherein said core computer module comprises beep-pager, display screen and E-mail device.

14. the personal communicator of claim 10, wherein said core computer module comprises the device of selecting from the group that beep-pager, picture unit, personal organizers and combination thereof are formed.

15. the personal communicator of claim 10 has machinery or by wireless device to inserting the device of a monitor, this monitor has than the much bigger and more high-resolution display of the display in the described display module.

16. the personal communicator of claim 10 has inserting the device of a monitor, this monitor has than the much bigger and more high-resolution display of the display in the described display module.

17. the personal communicator of claim 10 has the device that is used for fixing on the user's body.

18. the personal communicator of claim 10, each that is connected when assembling is described when separating module, have antenna microphone parts in the described communication module and earphone and on the outer surface of described communication module, be connected to the device of described core computer module in the keyboard of external position, thereby when all communication modules are connected, has device as a mobile phone.

19. the personal communicator of claim 10 has select one that is incorporated in wherein from the group that television equipment, radio devices, camera apparatus, camera system and combination thereof are formed.

20. the personal communicator of claim 10 has at least two display unit, first is in described display module, and second in described nucleus module or described communication module.

21. the personal communicator of claim 10, wherein all described module connections fixed to one another.

22. the personal communicator of claim 10, wherein communication is connected with the core computer module is fixed to one another.

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